Dendrocalamus latiflorus
Dendrocalamus latiflorus
Safety & Hazards
None known
Cultivation Details
Succeeds in subtropical conditions, as well as in lowland to moderate elevations in the tropics[1]. It is found at elevations up to 1,000 metres in Taiwan, where it can tolerate temperatures as low as -4°c[1]. It prefers areas of high rainfall[1]. Grows best in moist, fertile soils[1]. Heavy clay, gravel alkaline or acidic soils are not suitable for the production of edible shoots[1]. Vegetatively propagated plants can develop within 3 years into clumps with 20 - 25 culms, on average 5 - 6 metres tall and 3 - 4cm in diameter[1]. Five year old plants can have a culm height in the region of 15 metres with a diameter of 7cm[1]. A 1 - 2 year-old culm can produce 5 - 10 shoots weighing 3 - 5 kg[1]. Average young shoot production per clump increases in the first 5 years after planting from 30 kg in the 2nd year to 60 kg in the 3rd year to 80 kg in the 4th year, to a maximum of about 100 kg in the 5th year[1]. Bamboos have an interesting method of growth. Each plant produces a number of new stems annually - these stems grow to their maximum height in their first year of growth, subsequent growth in the stem being limited to the production of new side branches and leaves. In the case of some mature tropical species the new stem could be as much as 30 metres tall, with daily increases in height of 30cm or more during their peak growth time. This makes them some of the fastest-growing species in the world[PFAF]. The plant is used in breeding programmes to develop hybrid cultivars that grow fast and provide quality construction material with wide adaptability and high economic value, or to provide better tasting shoots[1]. Bamboos in general are usually monocarpic, living for many years before flowering, then flowering and seeding profusely for a period of 1 - 3 years before usually dying. Flowering is rare in Taiwan; though sporadic flowering and fruiting is a normal occurrence in the Philippines, Indonesia and China[1].
Propagation
Seed - many, if not all, members of this genus have a short viability and should be sown within 2 - 3 months of harvest. Sow in containers and only just cover. Germination usually takes place readily. Prick out into individual pots as soon as the plants are large enough to handle. Plant out into permanent positions when 20cm tall. Plants may remain in their low-growing juvenile state for several years - cutting the culms to the ground level can stimulate taller adult growth[2]. As seed is usually rather rare, vegetative propagation by cuttings is normal practice. The preferred cuttings are taken from 2-year-old culms, are 50 cm long (2-noded), and are planted horizontally 6 - 10 cm deep. The rooted cuttings are preferably transplanted in the rainy season when 2 years old[1]. Cite as: Tropical Plants Database, Ken Fern. tropical.theferns.info. 2026-02-20. <tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Dendrocalamus+latiflorus>
Pollinators
Wind
References
- [1]Plant Resources of Southeast Asia — http://proseanet.org/ ↩︎Lots of information on the uses of the plants of SE Asia.
- [2]The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. — Huxley. A. · MacMillan Press · 1992 · ISBN 0-333-47494-5 ↩︎Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
- [3]Cornucopia II — Facciola. S. · Kampong Publications, California. · 1998 · ISBN 0-9628087-2-5 ↩︎The second edition of an excellent guide to the edible uses of plants, though it does not give any details of cultivation etc.
- [4]Flora of China — Missouri Botanical Garden Press; St. Louis. · 1994 · http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/ ↩︎An excellent, comprehensive resource in 25 volumes. In addition to the botanical information the flora also gives basic information on habitat and some uses. An on-line version is also available.
- [PFAF]Plants for a Future — pfaf.org ↩︎